Breakthrough Prize i stories

Apr 21, 2026

Breakthrough Prize Awards $3 Million Each to Six Scientists for Gene Therapies and KRAS Research

The 2026 Breakthrough Prize honored six laureates with $3 million awards for discoveries including gene therapies for inherited blindness and sickle cell disease, as well as groundbreaking work on KRAS cancer targets. Boston-area researchers were among those recognized.

Apr 21, 20262 sources

Apr 19, 2026

Breakthrough Prize Awards $3 Million to Researchers Behind First Sickle Cell CRISPR Therapy

Dr. Swee Lay Thein and Dr. Stuart Orkin received the $3 million Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for research that led to the development of the first CRISPR-based therapy for sickle cell disease.

Apr 19, 20261 source